Hirosaki Castle in Aomori: A Quiet Ancient City with a History

Hirosaki Castle, this ancient city that has gone through four hundred years of wind and rain, is one of the most representative historical buildings in Aomori Prefecture. Although it is best known for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, it was not cherry blossom season when I visited this time. The lack of pink flowers gave me the opportunity to focus more on the history and atmosphere of the city. First View of Hirosaki Castle: Castle Walls and Moat Take the train from Hirosaki Station to Hirosaki Park, and as soon as you get off the train you'll feel the tranquil atmosphere that's different from cities like Tokyo and Sendai. There are not many tourists in the park, which makes the whole city look more solemn and mysterious. Walking across the stone bridge over the moat, you'll see the castle tower with three towers. Although it's not as tall and magnificent as Osaka Castle or Himeji Castle, its simple and low-key appearance makes you feel the historical traces of the Edo period. The stone wall and moat beside the castle tower complement each other. On that day, the breeze blew gently and the lake sparkled, presenting a quiet beauty. Since the castle tower of Hirosaki Castle was moved due to aging of its foundation, it is not in its original location now, but has been temporarily moved inside. Standing inside the city, you can see traces of construction work, which also made me marvel at Japan’s meticulous craftsmanship in protecting historical sites. Strolling in the city: Feel the heavy sense of history Walking slowly along the paths in the garden, the city is full of lush trees and the breeze carries a faint scent of earth. Compared with the hustle and bustle of spring, Hirosaki Castle at this time seems particularly peaceful. The interior of the castle tower is open to visitors, where the history of Hirosaki Castle, the deeds of the Tsugaru family, and the samurai culture of the Edo period are displayed. The wooden stairs are a bit steep, but when I climbed to the top floor and looked out the window at the entire Hirosaki city area, I could still feel the visual advantage of this city as a strategic fortress in the past. In addition, there are several ancient city gates and arrow towers in the city, each of which contains the atmosphere of the Edo period. Different from the romantic atmosphere of cherry blossom viewing in spring, this visit allowed me to appreciate the historical weight of this city more carefully. Without the embellishment of cherry blossoms, its style is more prominent. The beauty of Hirosaki Castle beyond the seasons Many people come to Hirosaki Castle for the cherry blossoms in spring, the red leaves in autumn, or the snow in winter, but this visit made me discover that even when there are no special sights, the city still has a unique tranquility and charm. Without the crowds of tourists, you can focus more on the details of the castle, carefully appreciating the stone wall stacking techniques, the reflections of the moat, the wooden structure of the castle tower, and even the occasional bird song flying through the treetops. Such a Hirosaki Castle, without too much visual interference, allows people to feel the sedimentation of history. Conclusion: Historical sites worth exploring Although I didn’t see the spectacular scenery of cherry blossom season during this trip to Hirosaki Castle, it allowed me to appreciate another side of this ancient city from a different angle. If you are someone who likes a quiet atmosphere and loves history and culture, then Hirosaki Castle is still worth a visit even if it is not the peak season for flower viewing. Here, you can feel the weight of Japanese history and enjoy a quiet time away from the hustle and bustle. Hirosaki Castle Information • Address: 1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture • Business hours (for visiting the castle tower, turrets and city gates): • April 1st to November 23rd: 09:00-17:00 (Last entry at 16:30) • November 24th to March 31st: Closed during winter (only Hirosaki Park is open for free viewing) • Tickets (castle tower + turret + city gate): • Adults 520 yen • Children (elementary and junior high school students) 160 yen 📍#青森弘前 • Hirosaki Park is open to the public free of charge all year round